I am not suggesting that Walter Travis designed the toughest courses, but I think it should be noted that he was one of the early voices, if not the earliest voice, in this country for more difficult courses. As early as 1901, following a month-long golf trip in the UK he wrote an article, pubiished in Golf, that lamented the state of golf in the U.S. as "mostly of a kindergarten order. The holes are too easy, and here is too much of a family resemblance all through...". Later, when his changes to the Garden City Golf Club course had their unveiling in the 1908 U. S. Amateur, some declared him as a "penal" designer. He was known to say that his courses often "appeared easier" than they were. though it is hard for me to imagine that to be true of Hollywood Golf Club, after his 1917 redesign left an untold number of wild-appearing bunkers, highly contoured greens, and championship tees playing over 6900 yards. None of that would be considered "toughest" these days.